Pete Golis writes about politics and technology

A snap quiz for political junkies

Can you name the last Republican elected to represent Sonoma County in the state Legislature or Congress?

Time’s up.

Bev Hansen was last elected to the state Assembly in 1990. She was the kind of moderate Republican who wouldn’t be very comfortable among the conservatives who dominate the state GOP today. After leaving office, she left Santa Rosa to become a Sacramento lobbyist.

Why mention her now? Capitol Weekly today publishes the second half of its list of the state’s top 100 political power brokers – here – and right there at No. 75, you will find lobbyist Bev Hansen.

CORRECTION: Bev Hansen was the last Republican to represent Sonoma County in the state Legislature, but the last Republican to represent Sonoma County in the House of Representatives was Frank Riggs, who was elected in 1990, lost a re-election bid in 1992, and then was elected to two more terms. He left the House in January of 1999.